Walking the fog-shrouded trail yesterday morning was an eerie experience. Usually I put in the earbuds and listen to some lively music, but this time I just listened to the small creatures stirring in the underbrush and fog dripping from the leaves. As I climbed the trail heading to the crest of Windy Hill, I rose above the fog and found a magnificent view of Portola Valley, blanketed in a thick white layer that was rapidly burning away.
I didn't bring the big camera, because I'm just learning this new trail and I didn't know how rigorous it would be... It is a steep climb, and I got a great workout, but next time I see this kind of fog I'm taking the heavy camera anyway !
Tags: IMAG0752 fog foggy morning oak tree shrouded mist branch leafy fall autumn Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Park Portola Valley hike hiking walk path cellphone camera mobile phone Droid trail CA
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I had been hiking through a thick fog, climbing steadily to the crest of the hill which was above the fog layer. Suddenly I was in bright sunlight and leaving a verrrrryyyyy loooonnnngggg shadow. I definitely have a "pear shape" but the long shadow does emphasize the width of my lower half :)
Tags: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Park hiking hike trail Portola Valley CA IMAG0763 crest long shadow sunny path dirt legs me JC
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Did I mention the steepness of the Spring Ridge Trail at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve? There is one section that is so steep that they should just cut in stairs. I haven't made it to the top yet - each time I hike there I go a little further. Whenever you crest a hill, and think you might have reached the highest point, you can see another hill to climb. Coming back down is quite nice though ! The fog was burning off quickly, and there is no shade here - I intend to get an earlier start next time.
openspace.org/preserves/maps/pr_windy_hill.pdf
Tags: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Park trail hike hiking steep foggy fog morning IMAG0786 day
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Sausal Pond was still and quiet early in the morning, with the only movement being the very active colony of mosquitoes buzzing about my head !
This would have been so much better with the DSLR - perhaps HDR due to the range of light in this scene... I will be back !
Tags: IMAG0810 Sausal Pond Portola Valley CA Windy Hill Open Space Preserve OSP morning light still mosquitoes reflections trees golden
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I thought there was a nice range of blue/gray/green hues in this wintry image; The bare branches of some of the trees provide a lacy backdrop to the quiet little pond.
I think it looks a bit like an old oil painting due to the tones, but of course an oil painting would never be done in portrait orientation !
Sausal Pond at the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Tags: Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Portola Valley San Mateo County CA Sausal Pond winter 5892 reeds reflection 100+views